Breastfeeding and sleeping

well I guess I should of specified sleeping through the night. My lo has been sleeping through the night like 5-8 hr for the last 3 weeks. I have been having to get up half way through to pump due to engorgement and leaking. When does your body regulate and is the pumping keeping it from happening? Anyone have suggestions or can share their experience? TIA (thanks in advance)

I would only pump if you need to build a freezer stash. If your too uncomfortable to sleep just pump a small amount and your body will adjust to produce less at night. By pumping completely you're telling your body to keep production up.

My lo has been sleeping for 5-7 hour stretches for probably about 8 weeks now( I'm very blessed to have a sleepy baby!) And I have never once pumped or woken him to eat. The first week or two I woke up to painful engorged breasts, but then my supply regulated itself. Don't get me wrong, I still wake up to very full heavy boobs, but they are generally fine. Every few days one will be slightly engorged, must have something to do with how much he eats at bedtime

I would only pump if you need to build a freezer stash. If your too uncomfort...

Last edited
07/26/2015

I would only pump if you need to build a freezer stash. If your too uncomfortable to sleep just pump a small amount and your body will adjust to produce less at night. By pumping completely you're telling your body to keep production up.

This...I completely agree with. I had a similar issue of waking up at like 2:30am engorged but when I just pumped a few ounces to feel okay my body adjusted. Now I can go the 6-8 hour stretch he does at night with only a little discomfort in the morning.

Stop pumping and your body will regulate itself. I only took a couple nights of engorgement for me and now it's fine. Pumping is telling your body "keep it up making this much milk at this time of day". Hand express a little if it gets too bad b

I would only pump if you need to build a freezer stash. If your too uncomfort...

Last edited
07/26/2015

I would only pump if you need to build a freezer stash. If your too uncomfortable to sleep just pump a small amount and your body will adjust to produce less at night. By pumping completely you're telling your body to keep production up.

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